4 More Witnesses Appear Before Grand Jury Probing Eagan's Office

Four more witnesses appeared Thursday before a federal grand jury investigating corruption allegations against the office of Orange-Osceola State Attorney Robert Eagan.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent John Van Tronk testified briefly before the panel at the federal courthouse in Orlando, but he would not discuss his testimony. He would only say he was unaware of any misconduct by Eagan.

Another state official said Van Tronk testified about a drunken driving case dropped a few years ago by Eagan's office at the request of FDLE and the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.

The official said the case was dropped so a suspect would remain free and investigators could pursue a drug investigation. The suspect soon was arrested on heroin and cocaine charges and sentenced to 10 years in prison, but the FBI somehow heard of allegations that Eagan was paid a bribe to kill the drunken driving case, the official said.

Federal officials would not comment.

Eagan, who has been state attorney since 1969, maintains he never has taken bribes. He contends he is being smeared by political enemies.

Others who testified Thursday were Ben Wagner, an unsuccessful candidate for Orange County Commission in 1980 and 1984, and his former business partner in an auto salvage business, David Varndell.

Varndell and another unidentified witness would not comment on their testimony.

Wagner said he was asked by the grand jury about the late Elvin Carroll, a career criminal reported to be a middleman for bribes with Eagan's office, and dealings with Orange County government.